Older blood increases infection risk

A new study by US researchers found that patients given transfusions of blood stored for more than 4 weeks were nearly three times as likely to develop urinary-tract infections, pneumonia and infections associated with intravenous lines, as those getting fresher blood.

US researchers looked at the rate of hospital infections in 422 patients against the age of the blood transfusion they received. The average age of the blood was 26 days, with 70 percent of patients receiving blood older than 21 days, the researchers found. Current federal regulations allow blood to be stored up to 42 days.

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A new study by US researchers found that patients given transfusions of bloodÂ stored for more than 4 weeks were nearly three times as likely to develop urinary-tract infections, pneumonia and infections associated with intravenous lines, as those getting fresher blood.

US researchers looked at the rate of hospital infections in 422 patients against the age of the blood transfusion they received. The average age of the blood was 26 days, with 70 percent of patients receiving blood older than 21 days, the researchers found. Current federal regulations allow blood to be stored up to 42 days.